I. Discussion of Recent Permitting Experience Relative to the DERM “Boat Slip Bank”- Ms. Lubby Navarro, designee for the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) Chairman Bruno Barreiro, stated since a specific properties on the river may be appearing before the BCC regarding the permitting of slips, Ms. Navarro stated she would only be able to participate in a general discussion regarding this policy issue, and would have to leave the meeting if the discussion became focused on the merits of any particular cases to be considered in the future by the BCC.  Mr. Bibeau distributed copies of DERM’s boat slip transfer covenant.  The EDC welcomed Mr. Carlos Espinosa, Director for Miami-Dade County Department of Environmental Resource Management (DERM), whom provided a brief history of the County’s Manatee Protection Plan’s effects on permitting boat slips along the Miami River .  Mr. Espinosa explained that a “boat slip bank” essentially did not exist.  Instead, the transfer of boat slips from one property to another is currently considered by DERM on a case by case basis, using the covenant distributed by Mr. Bibeau.

Ms. Susan Markley, DERM, noted the idea of a “lottery” to distribute available boat slips has also been discussed. Ms. Markley noted the State is currently going through the process of re-evaluating the ST Manatee Protection Plan.  Ms. Markley noted the State has requested that they be allowed to complete their re-evaluation process before the County considers any revision to their Manatee Protection Plan.  Ms. Markley noted the 2^nd draft of the statewide manatee management plan is available on the web, and Florida Fish & Wildlife (FFWC) is accepting public comments until June 14.  Mr. Bibeau asked for a timeline for the ST”S completion of their process once the public comments have been received on June 14, and Ms. Markley replied that the FFWC would determine the timeline.

Ms. Lubby Navarro, noted after the FFWC completes their review of the State’s Manatee Protection Plan, Chairman Barreiro has expressed a desire to create a broad based and diverse committee to review and potentially update the County’s 1995 Manatee Protection Plan, considering that the river has significantly changed since the plan’s implementation, and the increase in Manatee population lead FWC to recently lessen the Manatee classification from “endangered” to “threatened”.

Mr. Dubin asked if it was possible to transfer slips between the Miami River and Aventura, and Mr. Espinosa replied transfers will only be approved within areas of similar conditions, therefore slips will only transferred from one location to another on the River, etc.  Mr. Espinosa noted similarly DERM recently approved a transfer of boat slips from location to another within Aventura, using the provided approved covenants.  The Covenants, which run in perpetuity with the subject properties, note the rights for a specific number of slips to be permanently transferred from one parcel to another.

Mr. Espinosa noted that revising the County’s Manatee Protection Plan is time consuming, and the ST will require an extensive and work intensive parcel by parcel review / inventory / survey of boat slip rights, etc  Ms. Markley confirmed that boat surveys may take up to 12 months, and suggested the County would consider hiring a consultant to conduct the work.  Ms. Navarro suggested considering a parallel path approach, commencing the estimated year of research now, while the FFWC completes their review of the ST Manatee Protection Plan.  Therefore, when the ST review is completed, the County may create the committee to review the Plan and a significant portion of the required analysis for the committee to consider would already be prepared and ready for review.  Mr. Espinosa stated he had no objection to this approach.

Mr. Richard Dubin stated he is concerned there is an insufficient quantity of “abandoned” slips available for transfer from one parcel to another on the river via covenant, in order to provide the additional density necessary to create an economically feasible new dry stack storage facility on the River.  Mr. Dubin added although dry stack slips clearly have less impact than wet slips; the County’s 1995 Manatee Protection Plan restrictions are the same for wet and dry slips.  Therefore, Mr. Dubin suggested when the committee is created to review the plan, they consider recommending the Board of County Commissioners amend the Plan to provide two different levels of restrictions, of which the restrictions for dry-stacks would be less than those for wet slips.

Dr. Markley stated no amendments to the County’s Manatee Protection Plan are necessary to approve a transfer of boat slips on the river via adopting covenants, which are considered on a case by case basis, adding the Lee County Manatee Protection Plan provides the ability to transfer slips as well.  Dr. Markley noted upon request, DERM may determine the number of allowable slips at a parcel on the river, and in making that determination will consider any photos of the site showing boats, taken before 1984.  Dr. Markley added the ST should also consider approving the transfer of boat slips along the River on a case by case basis.         

II. Status of Merrill-Stevens Proposed Expansion/County Manager Memorandum- Mr. Bibeau distributed a March 5, 2007 Memorandum from Miami-Dade County Manager George Burgess to the Honorable Mayor Carlos Alvarez , Chairman Bruno Barreiro and members of the Board of County Commissioners, regarding the “Report of negotiations for the Civic Center and Marine Redevelopment Project at the Civic Center” (MS).  In the memo Manager Burgess supports separating the County’s currently combined negotiations for the two separate yet adjacent proposals of the Merrill-Stevens Yachts expansion and the Related Group’s development of affordable housing.  Mr. Mark Bailey, Merrill Stevens, stated although he could not speak on behalf of the Related Group project, Merrill-Stevens is supportive of the section in the Memo regarding Merrill-Stevens, which directs the County to move forward with their expansion project negotiations.  Mr. Bailey added since the memo was issued in March, Merrill Stevens negotiations with County staff have progressed, and he hopes to have the item presented before the Board of County Commissioners in July.  The EDC Chair Megan Kelly endorsed the Memo and expedited negotiations between Miami-Dade County and the Merrill-Stevens Training Institute, Inc. for their “Marine Re-Development project”.

III. Status of the “Upper River/MIC Associated Development” Planning Process - Mr. Bibeau noted the MRC’s Urban Infill Working Group continues to coordinate with Mr. Subrata Basu, Interim Director of Miami Dade County Planning & Zoning, regarding the “Upper River/MIC Associated Development” Planning Process. Mr. Bibeau informed Ms. Navarro that Mr. Basu had attended an UIWG meeting several months ago, in which he was provided a summary of the proposed plan. Ms. Kelly explained that the goal of the plan is to create meaningful intermodal connections in the upper river, specifically between the Port of Miami River , MIA, and MIC.

Dr. Bohnsack noted she had recently met with Mr. John Spillman, a Miami-Dade County transit specialist, to discuss the county’s previous commitment to have riverfront public rights-of-way acquired for the Earlington Heights – MIC Metro-rail extension, and the 122 Interconnector, located in an area with industrial zoning, be used for a water-dependant / water related / marine industrial uses after construction is completed.  Dr. Bohnsack noted Mr. Spillman indicated that he would draft a memorandum on behalf of his department directing the county to create a resolution within 30 days confirming the aforementioned agreement.

Dr. Bohnsack stated she had recently made a presentation regarding short sea shipping to Mayor Carlos Alvarez ’s staff. Dr. Bohnsack expressed a strong need for a truck depot area along the upper Miami River to relieve traffic congestion, both of which should be components of the recommended “Upper River Plan”.  Ms. Navarro stated Team Metro is now prohibiting trucks from parking in the center lane along North River Drive .  Mr. Bibeau noted Miami-Dade County owns the large vacant parking immediately east of NW 36 ST, and north of North River Drive , and stated the northern portion of the 8 acre site is immediately available for a truck depot or alternate marine industrial use.  Mr. Bibeau asked Ms. Navarro to forward this suggestion to county staff, and Ms. Navarro agreed.

IV. Discussion of City of Miami Ordinance Amending “Ad Valorem Tax Exemption for Enterprise Zone Businesses”- Mr. Bibeau distributed copies of a draft City ordinance, amending the law which regulates the Enterprise Zone economic incentives, which are available to new and expanding businesses riverwide.  MRC staff indicated they had invited representatives of the City of Miami Economic Development Department to address the potential amendment to their Enterprise Zone ordinance, yet they were unable to attend the meeting.  MRC staff noted they would continue to reach out to the City’s Economic Development Department to obtain more information and generate discussion at a future EDC meeting.

V. Status of Marine Industrial Economic Analysis - Mr. Bibeau noted the MRC Executive Board previously approved the scope of services and amount of funding to create a Miami River Marine Industrial Economic Analysis.  Mr. Bibeau reported the Empowerment Zone awarded the MRC a $17,130 grant to conduct the analysis, leaving a $5,040 balance to conduct the “peer review” of the analysis.  Therefore, Mr. Bibeau recommended the MRC use portions of the current $25,000 balance of a previously awarded Miami-Dade County grant to fund the $5,040 peer review of the Miami River Economic Analysis grant.  EDC Chair Kelly authorized the use of the County grant as the funding source for the $5,040 required to complete the Scope of Services and budget previously approved by the Executive Board for the project.  Dr. Bohnsack asked for the project timeline, and Mr. Bibeau replied June 15, 2007 - January 15, 2008 .  Mr. Bibeau stated the Empowerment Zone will provide a contract for their awarded MRC grant before the end of May.

MRC staff distributed a list of the compiled previous Miami River Marine Industrial Economic Analysis’ to be submitted to FAU professors Dr. William B. Stronge and Dr. Lenore Alpert, as detailed in the updated analysis’ scope of services.  Mr. Bibeau noted that two separate plans (Washington Economics Group 2003 “A Forecast of Florida International Trade Flows” & U.S. Army Corps of Engineers “Miami River Dredging Economic Analysis”) had been incorrectly listed together in the original scope of services, but have since been separated.  Mr. Bibeau noted he had located a Miami-Dade County/Beacon Council 1990 “Miami River Study,” and asked if the EDC would consider including the study in the scope of services as well if it did not yield an additional contract cost, and the EDC replied yes. Mr. Bibeau noted MRC staff has included either a print or CD version/copy of each plan on the list, excluding #2: Washington Economics Group 2003 “A Forecast of Florida International Trade Flows,” which has been requested.

Mr.  Bibeau distributed two boiler plate draft contracts provided by FAU, with the MRC Executive Board’s previously approved scope of services and budget, for the grand total $22,170 in services to prepare the Miami River Marine Industrial Economic Analysis and conduct the peer review.  EDC Chair Kelly authorized execution of the two contracts.

VI. New Business - The following items were addressed/discussed:

• Mr. Bibeau noted he had received e-mails from Gwin Tate , U.S. Coast Guard Bridge Branch. whom had expressed concern regarding the President’s request to transfer bridge administration from the Coast Guard to the Department of Transportation.  Mr. Bibeau opened the item up for discussion and/or recommendations.  Dr. Bohnsack stated it was helpful to have accessible U.S. Coast Guard Bridge Branch located in Miami when time sensitive Bridge operations arise, and transferring that important responsibility to Washington DC would potentially make quick communication and response more difficult.  Dr. Bohnsack asked what the timeline is for Congress to reach a decision on the proposal, and Mr. Bibeau replied it was his understanding from the information provided by Mr. Tate that the proposal is connected to the Federal Fiscal Year 2008 budget, which starts on October 1, 2007 .  Since there is sufficient time to further research the issue, EDC Chair directed MRC staff to place this item on the next EDC meeting agenda, and invite appropriate presenters.

 The meeting adjourned.